Cradle to Gate
Identity ID
535359ed-de88-459f-b8d6-d7296760cc40
Materials
Associated ID
dfc782a9-6edd-4b92-8f31-026910d5df5e
Included activities starts
Included activities ends
Description
This dataset represents the life cycle inventory of iron ore mining in China, cradle-to-gate, covering all activities associated with iron ore mining and production, starting from drilling and blasting to the output of iron ore. It does not include the production of drilling rigs, transportation equipment, personnel travel, or indirect greenhouse gas emissions from daily office operations during the mining process. The dataset was compiled from multiple data sources based on national standards such as the 'Manual of Production and Emission Coefficients for the Iron Ore Mining and Processing Industry (0810)', 'Emission standard of pollutants for mining and mineral procressing industry (GB 28661-2012)', 'Cleaning production standard Iron ore mining and mineral processing industry', and 'The norm of the energy consumption per unit product of iron ore dressing(GB31337-2014)', and is representative of the average production level of iron ore mining in China.
Activity Description
This dataset describes iron ore mining, which primarily involves two basic methods: open-pit mining and underground mining. Open-pit mining is a method of removing overlying rock and soil covering the ore body to directly expose the ore body at the surface for extraction. This technique is typically applied to large-scale deposits with shallow ore bodies, offering advantages such as lower mining costs and high production efficiency. Typical open-pit mining steps include drilling, blasting, overburden removal, ore loading, and transportation. Key equipment used includes excavators, drills, bulldozers, and mining trucks. Underground mining: Underground mining is primarily used for deeper ore bodies, accessing the ore through the construction of underground shafts and tunnels. This method is suitable for deposits where the ore body is deeply buried or where surface conditions are unsuitable for open-pit mining. The process of underground mining includes shaft development, ore extraction, and hoisting, employing equipment such as drills, hoists, and mine cars. The advantages of underground mining include minimal surface disturbance, but it involves higher costs and stringent safety requirements.
Process Description
Iron ore is the primary raw material for steel production, and steel is one of the core materials for modern industry and infrastructure. China is the world's largest steel producer and has huge demand for iron ore. However, China's iron ore resources are characterized by low grade and high impurities, necessitating beneficiation before most of the ore can be used. Magnetic separation is the main beneficiation technology for Chinese iron ore, especially suitable for magnetite and vanadium-titanium magnetite. For non-magnetic or weakly magnetic ores such as hematite, limonite, and siderite, a combination of processes including roasting, gravity separation, high-intensity magnetic separation, and flotation is typically required to improve the yield and grade of iron concentrate.
Time period
2022
2026
Geography
China
Geography comment
Chinese average data are formed by merging multiple provincial datasets.
Macroeconomic value
Business-as-Usual
Data validation
Yes
Technology
Current Technology
Technology comment
This dataset describes iron ore mining, mainly including two forms: open-pit mining: directly extracting ore by removing surface rock and soil, suitable for shallow deposits, with lower costs and high production efficiency, often using large equipment such as excavators and bulldozers. Underground mining: accessing deep ore bodies through constructing underground tunnels, suitable for deeply buried deposits, with higher costs, less surface disturbance, but requiring higher safety safeguards.